Donald R. Vayo, age 96 of Mentor, passed away January 23rd, 2026, at his daughter’s home in South Carolina with family by his side. Don was born June 10th, 1929 in Chelmsford, Massachusetts to the late Myles and Catherine Vayo. He grew up there, met his future wife there and remained close to his siblings throughout his life, often traveling back to New England to visit and keep everyone’s growing families close.
Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy as soon as he became of age and was to serve as Petty Officer 3rd Class in locations as diverse as the Pentagon to Hawaii’s Joint Base Pearl Harbor – Hickam. After his service he returned stateside to Ionia and Garden City, Michigan to begin a career in sales. This led to multiple management positions, ultimately leading to the family’s relocation to Lake County, Ohio. Here he continued to build his family and career and was proud to call Mentor his home the remainder of his life. Don enrolled as a member of the American Legion Post in Mentor. As his career wound down, he eventually left Air Tool Service Company in Eastlake as the office manager and finished his professional career at Sterling Morton Elementary for the Mentor City Schools. He always spoke positively of his role, and of the wonderful people he met there; often telling the same stories repeatedly about people he grew quite fond of.
Don enjoyed traveling to Florida. First, on vacations taken with his wife, Estelle, and close friends. Later, as a winter home in Ft. Myers. They enjoyed the beaches and just sitting by the pool, a good book in hand and Milwaukee’s Best to stay hydrated.
Don and Estelle were avid dancers and loved to get out on the floor to cut a rug at birthdays, anniversaries, and other parties. For years they were part of a group of “Friday Night Couples” that would meet at one of their homes for drinks and hors d’oeuvres, then head to Painesville Township Park to dance the night away to the live bands playing there.
Don became an active member of Saint Martin’s Society in 2007. He wrote the monthly newsletter as their Scribe (2012) and served as their Assistant Mixologist (2017) and Mixologist (2018). But his greatest love was his family. He and Estelle always looked forward to the next family gathering. There was not a birthday, wedding, anniversary, baptism, communion, graduation, holiday, or family party of any kind that he and Estelle did not attend. His family was large. But his commitment to being there was so much larger. Throughout his life he was well read and known to write short stories and poems. He took immense pride in his assorted works as well as the words of wit and wisdom he would include in Christmas and birthday cards, wedding toasts, and informal speaking.
Don was the loving husband of 71 years to the late Estelle Vayo (nee Gervais); beloved father of Catherine (Michael) Griesmer, Linda (John) Sellers, Kevin (Ellie) Vayo, Greg Vayo, Pamela (Ron) Trebec and Patricia Hurst; dearest grandfather of Kelly (Joe) Carroscia, Kristi (Dennis) Reilly, Michael Griesmer, Matthew (Stephanie) Griesmer, Damon Sellers, Prudy Sellers, Chad Sellers, Rochelle (Brian) Adkinson, Erin (Alex) Zito, Lindsey (Jeff) Woleben, Bryan Vayo, Chris Vayo, Daniel Vayo, Michael Stalnaker, Kathryn (Matt) Ferron, Jaime (Eric) Reynolds, John Trebec, Jackson Trebec, Nicholas (Vanna) Hurst, Andrew (Sarah) Hurst, and Megan Hurst; great grandfather of twenty five; brother of Rita Stansfield and the late Jerry, Myles, Elaine Kenney, and Paul; uncle to nieces and nephews too numerous to name.
The Vayo family will receive family and friends from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Wednesday, February 4th, 2026, at St. Bede The Venerable Church, 9114 Lakeshore Blvd., Mentor. Don’s life will be celebrated with a Funeral Mass at 11:30 AM on Wednesday. Burial to follow at Mentor Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Jeff Monreal Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Painesville.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation www.t2t.org in Donald’s name.
